Slip elevator



Jan. 27, 1931. s. L.. eAMPBELL 1,790,225

SLIP ELEVATOR .SIe/aart. l, Cam/56M Jan. 27, 1931.

SLIP ELEVATOR s. L. CAMPBELL Filed July 2. 1929 a? ,//l I fa@ 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 @y zz.

Inde/2km".

STEWART CAMPBELL, on

Patented Jan. 277, 1931 BERKELEY, cf

omer.) 1 f mancanza,- nssreivon 'ro Jenn enAN'rfor 1 Los ANGELES, cnnronmng.- Y

s smrntnvaron appiicaiion filed may e, ieee; sei-iai No. 375,464.

`This invention has reference to pipe supporting apparatus, pipe elevators, spiders andthe like, of the characterrused in well drilling operations, and has to do particu-Y larly with apparatus of this nature embodying wedge slips for gripping and supporting the. pipe. It maybe stated that certain features of the invention are broadly applicable to'pipe supporting' apparatus in general, but for the purpose of giving a specific and typical example of its adaptation, I shall herein describe the invention as embodied in a gate-typeelevator. And in connectionwith its application to this particular type .of elevator, it-may be noted that the invention enables the use of theusual pipe surrounding wedge slips in a gated elevator without interfering With the normal gate operation of this type of apparatus.

Although in the present form of the iiivention, I have illustrated an elevator body com-v p-rising a pair of pipe encircling parts and within which is the pipe receiving opening containing wedge slips, it will be understood that the invention in certain of its aspects is not limited to the use of a sectional form of body, and that it broadly contemplates the yuse of either a sectional-or singleY-pa'rt body for a pipe elevator or a stationary pipe supf port, for instance ya spider. In otherr'espects,

however, my invention has certain particularly advantageous features in association with sectional or gated type bodies,and therefore it is hereinafter described in a formY comprising that type of body. Y

It is one purpose of the invention to provide preferably a gated slip-'type elevator having the inherent advantageous features of a gated body and also those characteristic of the use of wedge slips for gripping and supporting the pipe.V In another copending application on gated slip elevator, Ser. No.'

324,006, filed Dec. 5, 1928, I describe a gatetype elevator in which the body portion carries vertically movable wedge slips, and the v gate portion, in addition to swinging hori- Zontally, is adapted to ino-ve downward` and inward toward the pipe and into gripping engagement therewith together with the slips,

V.cam ring;

this purpose.

Q In Ythe present type! of elevator, vthe gate;

preferably has horizontal swinging movenient only and' vertically movable wedge `slipsare carriedboth on the body and gate portions, all the slips beingfmovable to-` gether when the gate is in closed position; To operate the slips, I providev a segmental and vrotatable cam ring carried within the pipe receiving opening between the body and gate,

the cani vring comprising two parts, one `each for the body and gate.V Wedge slips are supported on the ring assembly and caused, by cam action, toniove vertically when the ring is rotated. The cam ring sections being in end to end engagement, rotation of one section serves to rotate the other, and when the slipsare in work releasing positions, the cam ring is in a position such that it breaks substantially in the planey 'of engagement between the body and gate, andthe latter therefore lmay swing freely without binding caused by an overlappingcam ring section. Such opening of the gate when the slips are in their lower or work engaging positions, although,

additional means is provided. for insuring locking of the gate in closed position when the Vwedge slips are lowered.

rIhese and additional features of the invention willbe discussed more fully andto. best advantage in the `following detailed description, referencebeing had thereinto the accompa'nying drawings, in, which Y Y Fig. l is ajufront elevation of the elevator;

Fig. 2 is a planview of-Fig. 1*;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on line' 8-.3 of Fig. :l andthe gate being shown swung in open position; -f

Il illustrates a vertical section on line of Fig. 3, the wedge slips being shown in dotted llines toY illustratemore clearly their positions relativepto the body-section ofthe Fig. isa section on linev 5 5 o-f Fig. 2;

. Fig. Gis an enlargedfragmentary section on line 6 6 of Fig. 2, theiwedg'e slips being shown in raised or work releasingl positions;

Fig. 7 is ay view similar to Fig. 6 but show- Vas ing thel slips-in their lowermostor engaging positions;

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic developedl illustrationfof the cam ring Vas it would appear if spread flat;v i

Fig.V 9 is a fragmentary section on line 9 9 ofFig.2; Y' n I Y ',1

'F ig. 10 is a section on line'lO-lO of'Fig.

Fig. n is a' 'Sel-.eenen im iifwiifpfrigfa. Referring tothe drawings, Vthe elevator comprises the two pipe encircling parts 10 and 11, the former of which may be termed the body portion, and part y11 the gate. Lugs 12 are provided on opposite sides of the body and have bearing on ,theusuale'levator supporting bails 13. The gate 11 is vhinged at 14 on one end of the body, and is adapted to swing horizontally from the closed position of Fig. 2 to the open positionshown in Fig. 3. The gate is cut away to forint-he hinge lugs 11a, llbabove andl below the bot ying. 10a,

hinge pin 15 extending vertically through these lugs and terminating in the reenforcmg 'pieces orA links 16`and 16a. Reinforcino nin -D .l 17ieXtends vthrough the body 10 and also terminates in the upper and Vlower reenforcing elements 16,1605. If it is'desired, the body 10 may be castas a single part including portions 1G, 16a, and; pin 17 eliminated by casting the body solid. However, it may be preferred that these partsbe provided separately and assembled as described,- in order toV give maximum strength to the hinge joint an d to provide reenforcement against stresses imposed on the elevator under load tending to spread apart the gate and body portions. Thus the body 10 `may be formed of material particularly suited to its casting or machining, and the pins 15, 17 andthe interconnecting links 16, 16oY formed of comparatively stronger material, the effect being that the 'body and gate parts are held together at their hinge endby a yoke of great strength, and the parts at the same time being hingedly connected.

The free end of the gate is shaped to provide the vertically spacedlugs 18, 18a, having v curved cam faces 19. 1n the closed position of the gate, `the inner body lug 10c projects between .the vertically spaced Vgate lugs. A yoke 2O is mounted on verticalpin 21xcarried in the body, the yoke being adaptedto swing horizontally about pin 21 andY to eX- tend around the gate lugs 18, 18a, as illustrated in Figs.` 2` and 5, to Ilock lthe gate in closed position. It may be mentioned that preferably the v yoke and pin 21 are formed of material having comparatively great strength in order to resist the forces tending.

to swing the grate when the elevator is under load.

The yoke is yieldably urgedV into closed posit-ion by suitable means, for instance springs 23,24 coniinedvonthe uppei1 and work i lowerv back portions-of the body between links 16, 16a and lugs 25, 25a vformed Von the yoke. Assuming the gate to be swung from open to closed position, the outer curved faces 19 of the gate lugs engage the yoke, swinging it outwardly againsty the resistance of sp'rin`gs23, 24, until-the gatelugs pass within the yoke, whereupon the latter is returnedv to its normal O'ate closing position. Thus it will be noted -that theV yoke operates essen-f tially as a latch for confining the gate.

y A sleeve-like hub 27 is mounted on the gate and is capable of limited rotational movementaboutpin y28 retained at its ends in the v gate web portions 29, the hub having a pair 'of integral-lugs 30 onits inner side which, in

the dotted line position of-Fig. 2, engage thegate proper to limit the Aturning of the hub about P11128. The hub also has an integral' pair offarms 32, 3,20'J which normally sea-t Y swung. out to release the gate lugs 18, 18a and to permitthe gate to be swung open. f Springs 28, 24, of course serve to return the actuating arms 32 as well as the yoke to their normal positions afterlthe gate and hub are released. It be noted at this point Athat when the pipe is being supportedbythe elevator, or i when the elevator partsare pip-e supportingV positions,` the gate is 'prevented from' being opened, and as will later be, seen, this provision. is made by locking the hub 2T lagainstrotation when the wedge slips are in work engaging position, thereby p.reventingV the yoke 20 from being swung to release the gate, hub 27 howeverbeing released for yoke releasing rotation when the wedge slips are returned to their work releasing positions.

A vertical pipe receiving opening V39 is formed in the pipe surrounding part-s 10, 11, the sides 39a of the opening converging downwardly -as shown in .F ig. 4l. Vertical channels 4.0,'four being shown as typicahare cut in the walls of opening 39 in the body'and Vgate portions, the channels preferably' e2;-

tending the full length of the opening.

plurality Vof vertically movable wedge slips 42, one for each channel 40, is mounted on both the body and gate, the outer faces 42a of the slips being curved to bear againstr the f curved tapered wall 39a of the opening, and the inner faces of the slips being `provided with pipe gripping teeth 42B. The slipshave longitudinal rib portions 43 formed on their outer faces riding in the body and gate channels 40.v Transverse or circumferential fopenings 44 are.f formed throughl ,thev rib pci'-V tion's 43, anda Vroller 45'i-s mountedl within each of tlieopenings vat a suitable ,intermediate point. -To facilitate construction of the slip'inthis manner, I may provide the opening44 by forming a longitudinal recessV 45 in theriband mount thei'rollerllon a pin 47 'bearing at `its ends inthe body of the slip and ina plate 48 secured to the bacli of the slip atY the endsjof the opening." The rib portions of the slip-s preferably,'though not necessarily; have a slight amount of lclearance from' the' bottom of the longitudinal channels 40, backing for the slips being .provided Qatvtheir outer faces 42a in engagement with-the walls of opening39.; The slips are prevented from being moved upwardlyfand out of` the elevator by means of stops 49 threaded inthe bodyatthe upper endsof the channels 40. Y

Referring particularly to Figs. 2 and 10,- it willbe noted that the body has tapering Acylindric-surface ways lYQcorresponding in shape to the cylindric outer faces 42a of the slip. Thus both the slipfaces 42a and ways 70 are of cylindrical shape but are arranged intapering formation. InFig. 10, R represents the radius ofthebottom of the tapered pipe receiving opening 39, S the `radiu-s of curvature of thevbaclr face'42a ofjthe slips, and

T the radius of curvature of the top outer edge of theslip, the dotted line .71 diagraml matically indicating the upper end ofthe slip relative to its lower portion shown in section. Radii R, S and T being substantially equal, it willbe ,noted that Vways 70 diminish downwardly in depth and lalso that at Vthe bottom .of opening .39, .the curved surfaces of the ways disappear into the surface of vthe* pipe receiving opening. ln other words, the radius S of the outer face of the slips .and radius R, are preferably` the same, Thusto enable the slips to have backing engagement with the walls of the pipe receiving opening 39 over the entire area of faces 42a, the cylindric ways 70 are shaped in conformity with the slip faces 42a andare deepened upwardly vin accordance with the downward taper of opening 39. Y

- Both the gat-aand body portionsare an-Y 'nularly'recesse-dwithin the centralV opening 39 toA formthe annular channel 50, the back.

surfacelof theVv channel preferably converging downwardly at a slope corresponding to the taper of the walls 39a of opening 3 9, and

the channel sections in body and gate registering when the gate is in closed position.V

A rotatable and segmental slip actuating cam ring, generally indicated at 5l, is carried within channel 50,7thecam rin-g comprising two parts 51a. and 515, for the body and lgate portions lOvand ll, respectively. With thel l A elevator Closed, the ends of the cam ringsections abut andthus rotational movement'im` :parted'toone'of the sections serves torotate the entire cani ring. a, 'A plurality of inclined j `slots 53, one for each wedgeslip, is formed in the camring at equally spacedintervals around the ring, the vertical ,depth of the slots govermngthe lrange of vertical movement ofthe wedgeslips. As indicated par?, ticularly 1n Figures 6 and `8,*the sections` thecam ring are shaped to provide, in eifect,

when'the sections are .in engagement,- acontlnuous cani ringhayingcontinuous-slots 553 at spacedmtervals tlierear'cund. VThe circumferential extent "of, the slatsk 53, issuchj that alternate slots overlap both'cainri'ng sections,tliat is fer example (see Fig.i8 at thej abutting endsV of ,the- Arino' sections the ring supporting the .slips by virtue of the en-V gagement offrollerstiwithin slots y53. lt willbenoted that at their upper ends, the

ALY

slotswefxtend horizontally, as at` 53a, for Y short distance sui'licentto enable the rollers toperch in the-horizontal slot portions,

Vand thereby toretain the slips intheir rai-sed or work releasing position.

lThe'cam ring is rotated by means of a handle 55 inserted within Va tubular yextension or socket 56 mounted on the ring section 51?),

the extension, 56 projecting outward through i a horizontally extending opening 58 in the front of the'gate. l Thus, when the gate is closed,the` cam ring may be rotated withiny the limits permitted by the gate opening.k 5.8

by means of handle'55. Assuming the wedge slips tol be in raised orwork-releasing posi-` tion, and the carnring. to be in the position indicated in Figures l and-6,by moving han, dle to the leftthe cam ring is caused to turnto the position ofv-Fig'ure 7, land the slips to become lowered due to the rollers45 riding down the inclined slot faces 535 vas the ringy isrrotated. Of course,` the diameter ofthe Pipe 60 towhich 'the elevator is applied may determine the lowerlimiting positions ofthe slips, that is, the slips Vmay come'into wedging jengagement with thepipe at any'point intermediatetheir 'uppermost and lowermost positions. Thus lwhenthe elevator parts are lac in pipe supporting positions, the rollers v45 may rest atsome intermediatepoint on the Y inclined faces 536;- It will be notedzthat since the slips are confined against .lateral move-f ment, and with the diameter ofthe rollers l45 substantially the widthof slots 53vertical i movement of the slips in their 'intermediate vertical positions within the' slots is prevented by the engagement of rollers with t-he upper and lower defining sides of theslots. To raise the wedge slips and to return them to their uppermost positions indicated inFig ures 4 and 6, the cam ring-is rotated in a retion to preventk swinging ofthe yoke 2O and thereby enabling the gate to open. Such locking means typically may comprise ahorizontal movable door 61 mounted on the gate l1 and adapted to be actuated bythe `cam ring socket extensions 56. The door6l has a central opening 63 having a horizontalextent somewhat less than that of the gate opening 58, and a pair of horizontal slots 64'above and below opening 63, screws 65 extending through slots 64 Vto mount tliefdoor on the gate and to guide the door in its horizontal movement when actuated by extension 56. As will be noted inv Figure 3, the yoke actu-v ating hub 2O has a iat recess 66 in'itsinner side to take the door 61 when the latter is moved between the hub and the gateand as the slips are released from their upper position to lower work-'engaging position. Again assuming the parts to be in the positions of Figures l and 4,'npon turning'handle 55 to the left to release the slips, cam ring.'V

extension 56 vis brought into engagement with the door 61 at the end of opening 63, causing the door to be moved linto place within the Y -hub recess 66, as indicatedin the dotted line position`6larl in Figure 2. Thus by virture of the positioning of the door within the hub recess 66, the hub'is prevented from being turned, and yoke 20 therefore prevented from opening Yto release the gate. The hub, Vof course, is releasedupon returningthe slips to raised position, inY which operation the door is moved into its corresponding position'indicated in Figure 1. 4

It will be noted that although I have provided Vfor positively .locking the gate and body portions of the elevator in closed position when the wedge slips are lowered, the cam ring itself may serve as a means for preventing opening-of the gatevby virtue of the overlapping of the ring segments, in both the body and gate channel portions, as indicated particularly in Figure 7. Thus in this position of the parts the ring segments may so interlock the gate and body as'to prevent opening-of the gate. Upon returning the slipsto raised positions, however, the ycorresponding positions of the cam ring segments .are such that they are contained substantially entirely, except for the slight overlap necessary -to form the slots 53, contained within the gate and body portions, therebyl the slips vertically. 1 Y

enabling theV gateito vswing open. and the'. cam ring to break without'binding. Y

It will be understood'theV drawings and description yare to be considered merelyv as illustrative 'of and not restrictive on theV broader claims appended hereto, for various changes in design, structure and arrangement may be made iwithout departing -fromf the spirit'and scope of said claims.

Icl'aim-v A l. Anelevator of the.characterdescribed',

comprising two body parts which together i encircle'the pipe, saidbody parts'fhaving a pipe receiving opening, a pair of vertically movable wedge slips, onefor each bodyl part and arranged within'sald opening, and manually operable means for controllablymoving 2. An elevatorof thefcharfacter described, comprising two-'body-parts which together 'encircle the pipe, said body parts having a pipe receiving'opening, a. vertically movable wedge slip thereimandI cam means for moving` theslip vertically. n

3. An elevator of thefcharacter described,

comprising two body parts which together encircle theQpipe, saidbody parts having a pipe receiving opening, a vertically movable wedge slip therein,y anda' segmental slip actuating cam ringm'ounted within saidopeningand engaging said slip, the cam ring being rotatable to move the slip vertically.'

4. An elevator of the character described, comprising two body parts "which together encircle the pipe, saidbody partshaving a pipe receiving opening, a Vpair of vertically niovable'wedge slipstherein, onefffor each body/part, a segmental slipl actuating cam ring mounted within said opening and supporting said slips, "thejcam ring comprising two parts,v one for each body part, and the ring being rotatable to move the slips vertically. Y V Y 5. An elevator of the character described, comprising two body parts whichtogether encircle the pipe, said body parts' having a pipe receiving opening, a plurality of vertically movable slips therein, a segmental slip actuating cam ring mounted within said opening and comprising two parts, one for each body part, saidcam ring surrounding the slipsiand having a pluralityof circumferentially spaced and inclined cam faces one for each of said slips and in supporting engagement therewith, and the cam ring being '.rotatable to move the slips vertically.

6.. An elevator of thecharacter described,

comprising two body parts which together v tically movable wedge slips insa-id opening,

one'for each of saidbody parts, a segmental Y slip actuating cam ring mounted within said lits opening and supporting said slips, thefcamv one for each of said body parts, each of said slips having an integral projecting yportion at its outer face, a segmental slip actuating cam ring mounted within an annular recess in the sides of the opening, the cam ring comprising two parts, one for each body part,

and having a pair of inclined camfaces, one

foreach slip, and the projecting portions of the slips resting on said cam face, the cam ring being rotatable to rnove'the slips vertically. A

8. An elevator ofthel character described, comprising two Abody parts which together `encircle the pipe having a pipe receiving o eninop therebetween means hin ino-A the parts together-atene end to enable one of the parts to swing horizontally to open and closed position, a pair of vertically movable wedge slips in said opening, one for each ot' said body parts, each of said slips having -a longitudinal rib on its outer. face and eX- tending within a channel in the side of said body opening, a vlongitudinally lextending opening in each of said ribs and a roller mounted therein, a segmental slip actuating cam ring carried in an annular recessin the sides of said body opening and extending laterally through the openings in said slips, the cam ring comprising two parts, one for each body part, and having a pair of inclined slots, one for each wedgek slip, said rollers riding the cam ring in said slots and the ring being rotatable to move the slips vertically. i p

9. An elevator of the character described, comprising pipe encircling body and gate portions having a pipe receiving opening therebetween, means hinging said portions together at one end to enable thegate to swing horizontally to open and closed positions, and a yoke extending around the hinged end of said body and gate portions.

l0. An elevator of the character described, comprising pipe encircling body and gate portions having a pipe receiving opening therebetween, means hinging said portions together at one end to enable the gate to swing horizontally to open and closed positions, a yoke extending around both ends of the body and gate portions, one of the yokes being pivoted ont-he body and forming a latch for holding the gate in closed position.

11.V An elevato-riot the "character described,

body and orminga latch for holding' the vgate in closed position. Y

l2.-` Anelevatorof 'thev character described, comprising pipev encircling 'body' and gate portions having'avpipe 'receiving-opening therebetween, means hinging said portions ltogetherat oneend toV enable the gate vto swing horizontally to 2 open and closed posi,- tions, pipegripping wedge slipswithin said opening andmovable vertically within said opening to work engaging and releasing positions, and means for locking said bodyand gate portions in closedV position, saidlocking means being releasablev only when said pipe gripping meansis in work releasing position. i i3. -An elevator-o1c the character described, comprising Vpipe encircling vbody and gate portions lhavinga pipe receiving-opening therebetween, means yhinging said portions together at one1endtoenable .the gateto swing horizontally to: open and-,closed positions, pipelgrippingjmeans within'said opening andmovable to wo'rkrengaging'and releasingtpositions, latch means for locking said body and gate portionsin cloSed'pOSition, fand means Jfor locking said latch'-meansfto prevent opening oiy the gate when saidA pipe gripping means is in work engaging position.

f 14. 'An elevatorfofthe character described, comprising pipe encirclinglrbodyr and `gate portions having a pipe receiving opening therebetween. means hinein@ said ortions e en ltogether at onel end to enable 'the gate-to swing horizontallyto YopenV and closed positions, a pair of vertically movable ywedge slips within said opening and mounted separately on said bodyv andfgate portions, meansV for locking said portionsv in vclosed position, vand means for preventing said locking means from becommgreleased when the wedge slips are in lowered position.

l5. An elevator of the character described, comprising pipe encircling body and gate portions-having a ypipe receiving opening therebetween, means hinging said portions V'together at one end 'to enable'the gate to .16., An elevator of the character described,

comprising pipe encircling body Aand gate portions Vhaving a vpipe Vreceiving opening therebetween, means hing-ing ,said portions together at one end to `enableV the gate to swing horizontally-to open and closed positions, pipe gripping means Vwithin said opening and movable independently of the movement of said body and gate portions to work f engaging and releasing positions, a yoke pivotally mounted on said body portion and adapted to extend around the free end of said gate to hold the-gate in closed positionfand yielding means urging said yoke toward the gate, `said gate having a cam tace onits free end adapted to'engage and swingsaid yoke as the gate isinoved toward closing position.

17. An elevatorfof the character described',

wedge slip in said bore and having an outerv cylindrical faceengaging the bore wall lthe curvature of said tace substantially corresponding to `that otgthe lower end of said bore, and the bore wall being recessed to `form :vertically extending cylindric ways shaped in accordance with the outer tace of' the slips. 1

' InV Witness that I claim the foregoing VIv have hereunto ysubscribed lmy name this eighth day 0f-J une, 1929. f y

'n STEWART L. CAMPBELL.

comprising pipe encircling bodyA and gate 't portions having a pipe receiving opening Y therebetween, means hinging said portions c together at one end to enablethe gate to .Y swing horizontally lto open and closed posi- Y tions, pipe gripping means within said opening and movable independently of the movement of said body and gate portions to work engaging and releasing positions, ayoke pivotally mounted on said body portion and adapted to extend around the free end of said gate to hold the gate in closed position,

yielding means urging saidyoke toward its gate retaining position, and manuallyY actuated means for swinging the yoketo gate releasing position.

18. An elevator ot the character described, n comprising pipe encircling body and gate 1 portions having a pipe receiving openingV therebetween, means hinging said portionsv together at one end to enable the gate tof swing horizontally to open and closed posis tions, a plurality of vertically movable wedge slips within said opening, a segmental slip actuating cani ring within the opening and supporting said slips, the cam ring comprising two parte, one each for said body and gate portions, and being horizontally rotatable to move the slips vertically, a handle -`oined to said cam-rind and extendino` outward through an enlarged openingin the gate, said cam ring beingrotatable by operating the handle, latch means for holding and locking said gate in closed position, and means actuated by said handle for locking f said latch means at'one position of the cam v ring. l Y

1 y in@ y CERTIFICATE 0F CGRRECTON.

Patent No. 1,790,225. Granted January 27, 1931, to

STEWART L. CAMPBELL.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: age 5, line 27, claim S, otter the word "pipe" first occurrence, insert the words said body parte; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record ot the ease in the Patent Ctfioe.

Signed and sealed this 28th day of April, A. D. 1.931.

M. i. Moore, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

